With Bisping’s loss to Belfort (spoiler), Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva, is left without a clear opponent for the near future. Here is a short list of possibles and reasons why they should/might get a shot at the GOAT from the UG.
My retort to these options:
Chris Weidman – Top Middleweight Contender
Silva has already said that Weidman doesn’t have enough experience in the UFC and MMA in general to warrant a title shot. Having pulled out of his fight against Boetsch at UFC 155, Silva still has an argument for not fighting Weidman. Even though Weidman has beaten top 10 guys in his short UFC career. This is a long shot to happen, even if he is a top five middleweight.
GSP – Welterweight Champ
This wont happen anytime soon. GSP is fighting Nick Diaz in May, for reasons beyond my comprehension other than GSP “wants” to fight him. But that’s another story. GSP has said that if he moved up, he stay at middleweight and doesn’t want to go back and forth in weight due to health reasons. Can’t argue with a man looking out for his health in a combat sport. Also, he said that he would need several months to properly put on the extra 15 pounds. The wait for Silva and the entire middleweight division would be too long. However, it would be worth the wait to see these two go at it to see who’s the P4P best right now.
Jon Jones – Lightheavy Champ
Similar to GSP, the wait to simply be too long for Silva. Jones is fighting Sonnen in April, so the Superfight wouldn’t happen until the June/July area. If that fight took place, Silva would not fight at middleweight until October/November area which would be over the one year limit in which champs have to defend their belts. He last defended his middleweight belt on July 7, 2012. This scenario for the middleweight division creates more problems than solutions. However, business-wise, this would make a lot of money. First a superfight and then a title defense against the new middleweight interm champ. Cha-ching!
Luke Rockhold – Strikeforce (now dead) Middleweight Champ
Looking at all other options, this is the one I think will happen. Rockhold is a champ from a dead promotion. He has name recognition, a title to defend and experience. Most people don’t just come into the UFC with a title shot and especially against the GOAT. However, they are doing the same with G. Melendez (lightweight champ of Strikeforce). He’s finally coming over and getting a shot at B. Henderson (UFC lightweight champ). I’m willing to bet that if Penn was still champ, Melendez would still get this title shot, so why not Rockhold? Furthermore, we could make this fight happen in just a matter of weeks.
Rashad Evans – Former Lightheavy Champ (no successful defenses)
This comes from left field for me. Evans wants to drop down to middleweight, just to get a title shot against the GOAT? If he wanted to move down here permanently and go through the gauntlet, that’s one thing, but just for a one time shot? No thanks. He’s got a great record and a strong wrestling base; it’s just not enough for me to get excited about. Even if Evans won, the UFC would give Silva an immediate rematch to try to get it back because without the middleweight title, these superfights with Jones and GSP just isn’t the same.
Hector Lombard – Middleweight (new to the UFC; 1-1)
Lombard destroyed his last opponent, but looked like a fish out of water in his first UFC fight. I’m torn on this guy, because I know what he can do and did do in Bellator. I think he needs one or two more great outings before getting a title shot. I would suggest that Weidman is ahead of him in the contender line at this point.
Chael Sonnen – Former Top Middleweight Contender
Don’t even get me started on this guy. He lost twice to the GOAT. No amount of gab can convince me of a third shot.
What makes the most money?
GSP, Jones, Evans, Rockhold, Weidman then Lombard
Who’s the top contenders?
Rockhold, Weidman, Lombard, Jones, Evans then GSP
Your thoughts on the GOAT?
His and Hers MMA 